Transformer Explosion Kills 3 in Benin

Tragedy struck in Benin City, Edo State Capital on Easter Sunday as three persons were electrocuted at the Andrew Wilson Housing Estate, off Sapele Road, following the explosion of an electricity transformer that serves the area.

The explosion, according to investigation by THISDAY,  may not be unconnected with the heavy rain that fell same day.  The rain was said to have been preceded by a heavy storm in the area which may have affected the high tension electric poles that carry cables to the transformer.

Among those killed was a pensioner, Mr. Isaac Legogie, a relation of former deputy Senate President, Senator. Albert Legogie, an 18-year-old girl  identified as Miss Lizzy Adogamhe and a yet to be identified middle-aged man.
Eldest son of the late Legogie, Mr. Benjamin Legogie, who narrated the incident to newsmen said  there was pandemonium at the estate as a result of the explosion  which was engulfed by fire.
According to him, “There was explosion at the PHCN transformer in the estate and there was fire at the step-down and the transformer.

“We learnt that the circuit breakers that would have prevented the occurrence of fire were removed before now for no reasons by PHCN officials. The absence of the circuit breakers led to the re-direction of current to all houses in the estate”.
“So, all the electrical appliances in all the houses in the area were on fire. There was pandemonium in the area and people were running helter skelter and my father in the process of going to assist a neighbour to put out the fire that engulfed his house ran into a pull of water that was on the ground and he was electrocuted”.
 “Apart from my father, an 18-year-old girl, identified as Lizzy Adogamhe was electrocuted while trying to take something from the refrigerator in their house.

The PHCN officials were called in and they simply came and removed the fuss in the transformer and left”.
He regretted that  up till now, no official of  PHCN has come to even commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives nor claimed responsibility for what happened.
“We are demanding that PHCN should be held responsible for the deaths and must pay compensation to the family of the deceased in addition to offering a public apology to us,” he said.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Ogboi, who said he was yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Etete Police station, however, promised to investigate the issue.

The PHCN Public Relations Manager, Benin Distribution Zone, Mrs. Grace Nwobodo when contacted, said that she was yet to be
briefed and promised to find out exactly what happened.

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Posted: at 6-04-2010 02:23 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

ok...may their soul rest in peace

Posted: at 6-04-2010 06:34 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Too bad

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Posted: at 10-04-2010 05:52 PM (15 years ago) | Hero

y shld dey remov d cct breaka in d 1st place.NEPA or wateva dere name is shld b held responsibl 4 dis 1

Posted: at 11-04-2010 08:55 AM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

over 50 died in ph via phcn.....
rip 2 dem sha

Posted: at 11-04-2010 10:55 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

end time signs

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Posted: at 12-04-2010 06:59 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

tu much coruption

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Posted: at 12-04-2010 07:23 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac